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BA Bag drop takes just 24 seconds at London City Airport

02/01/2013

London City Airport [LCY] and British Airways are expanding self-bag-tagging facilities for passengers checking in via self-service kiosks, following a successful trial last year.

Passengers departing from LCY can use kiosks situated in the main concourse area to print their own baggage tags, affix them to their luggage and take it to a dedicated bag drop podium. The tag is then scanned and the weight of the bag checked – a process which the trial has shown to take an average of 24 seconds.

The service has been extended to two bag drop podiums, with a view to opening several more throughout 2013. The service is designed to save passengers time on their journey through the airport, which at LCY is one of the most efficient in the country.

Matthew Hall, Chief Commercial Operator at London City Airport said: “Saving time is a priority to our passengers, particularly those travelling on business. We have therefore been developing a number of initiatives aimed at reducing the time it takes to move through the airport and are known for the convenience that we offer through both departures and arrivals. Less time spent at the airport means more free time to finish things up at the office or get home earlier to your family.”

Luke Hayhoe, General Manager Commercial and Customer of British Airways CityFlyer said: “The positive response from our customers using the new facility at London City Airport is fantastic as the speed and simplicity of the process is very popular. The queue times at London City are always very low even at peak times as we understand it is very important for our customers to be able to check in as late as 20 minutes before departure. This latest development once again supports the speed, simplicity and flexibility of travelling though London City Airport.’’

Editors note

London City Airport (LCY) is the only London airport situated in London itself, just three miles from Canary Wharf, seven miles from the City and 10 miles from London’s West End and linked to all via the Docklands Light Railway. Infrastructure improvements in 2011 catered for 3 million passengers and 70,000 movements, while in 2012 LCY celebrated its millionth flight, 35 millionth passenger and 25 years of operation. LCY offers a unique 20/10 proposition – a 20 minute check in, from door to gate, and a 10 minute arrival, from tarmac to train. 10 airlines fly out of LCY, serving 42 destinations, including Dublin,Madrid and Geneva . Seven new destinations were added in 2012, and the airport has permission to increase its operation to 120,000 movements per annum.